Izakaya Donraku, which relocated and reopened on August 26, 2012, from its previous location in Sachi along Himekaido to Aoihigashi, is a restaurant I remember visiting once when I heard rumors that it was a very popular place, bustling with regulars every night, and I was left with a good impression. Even after relocating and reopening, Donraku continues to be a huge success, packed with customers day and night.WINE BOUTIQUE PANIERMr. and Mrs. Ono stopped by our house to visit, so we decided to go to Donraku, a restaurant nearby, together♪
These two don't seem like the type to fit in at an izakaya (lol), but it turns out they like unusual dishes like Thai food, so I'd love to invite them to some more unique restaurants sometime!
The recommended dishes of the day are clearly written on handwritten strips of paper on a blackboard, separate from the regular menu. Everything is reasonably priced, making it hard to choose!
"Draft Beer (Ichiban Shibori)" 450 yen. Let's start with a toast with beer!
Appetizer: "Motsu-ni" (stewed offal)
Assorted sashimi platter: 900 yen
This is a single serving with this many items: bonito, tuna, salmon, squid, sweet shrimp, and salmon roe. The portion size is truly amazing! (lol)
Salt-grilled sweetfish: 450 yen
It was a little too salty, but now is truly the season for delicious sweetfish. I was probably the only one who ate it whole, head and bones included (lol).
Last time, I had the chef's choice sake and it was a great choice, so I ordered it again this time, but it wasn't chilled. Therefore, I reordered the easy-to-drink sake that I had enjoyed last time.
"Big Tiger" 450 yen
They pour it generously into a bamboo sake cup, even overflowing it into the saucer! At 450 yen, this is an incredible bargain! Daikora, a very dry junmai sake, is made with strong, vigorous yeast and koji, fermented thoroughly to the very end. It's a crisp, dry sake that you won't tire of drinking♪
"Assorted Tempura (Large)" 800 yen
Crispy fried shrimp, eggplant, bell pepper, maitake mushroom, pumpkin, onion, and sweet potato. Enjoy with lemon and salt or tempura dipping sauce as you like!
Draft beer (Premium Malt's) 450 yen
At this restaurant, if you order "draft beer," you'll get Ichiban Shibori, but they actually have Premium Malt's for the same price. The amount is less than a regular glass due to the size of the glass, but for the same price, Ichiban Shibori is fine for the first glass with its strong kick, but if you're going to have several glasses, Premium Malt's is creamier, smoother, and has a deeper flavor.
Cucumber with salt and sesame oil: 400 yen
I ordered this because I wanted a quick and easy snack. Thick slices of cucumber with hidden cuts, dressed with sesame oil and bonito flakes for a refreshing taste♪
Sardine tempura: 450 yen
For just 450 yen, look at this portion size! You can enjoy it with plum paste, salt, or even a squeeze of lemon. Donraku offers a wide variety of reasonably priced, generously portioned snacks. This is surely why it's so beloved by its regulars!
"Chef's Choice Nigiri Sushi (3 pieces)" 350 yen
The pricing is like a conveyor belt sushi restaurant (lol). When I ordered two plates to finish off the meal, they changed all the toppings for me. I had a great time chatting with Mr. and Mrs. Ono about travel and delicious restaurants, and we came up with some fun plans, which I'm really looking forward to!
Izakaya Donraku
2-23-13 Aoi-Higashi, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu City TEL: 053-488-4777
Opening hours: 17:00 - 24:00 Closed: Mondays
